Dugtong Buhay: Episodic Narrative of People Who Used Drugs (PWUDS) in a Residential Treatment Facility

Literature suggests that recovery from substance abuse is complex and has their own unique process of change towards sustaining a good quality of life. In the Philippines, residential treatment is the standard of care for individuals with moderate to severe and complex substance use problems. However, these individuals barely seek treatment to address their substance use. Hence, this study examines the narratives of people who used drugs (PWUDs) recovery process despite the involuntary admission to a residential treatment facility and how they make sense of their admission up to the near end of their program. Data were gathered from 5 residents who were willing to share their stories about their admission to the middle and near end of the treatment program– an eclectic therapeutic community. Results were analyzed through episodic narrative analysis using the Delve application. The findings show that residents progress through stages of change despite their diverse experiences in their involuntary residential treatment facility – from denial and resistance to the need for treatment to insight development, self-reevaluation, and life skills enhancement, depending on the length of treatment. By the end of their treatment program, internalized learnings and skills strengthen their motivation to change and their recovery capital.